My three favorite uniforms

It's the most important stat

June 1, 2015

by

Ray from Bakersfield, CA

Are there downsides to teams having a joint stadium like in New York? Are there any problems that arise from having a home game played every week in that stadium?

The downside is a lack of identity for one of the teams. MetLife Stadium is shared by the Giants and Jets, but the stadium’s identity clearly belongs to the Giants. I don’t know if the Jets can ever enjoy a true homefield advantage playing their home games in another team’s stadium.

Rob from Webb City, MO

Vic, the one thing I took away from the past week’s OTAs was Mike McCarthy’s comment about the veteran players’ presence in camp. What are your thoughts on this team’s veterans and their ability to lead and mentor such a young roster?

I’m big on players leading, not on mentoring. I’m sorry, I know that’s not a popular opinion with fans, but I don’t like the idea of players coaching players. I want players competing with players. That’s how you lead. Deeds, not words.

Chas from Rockford, IL

If you take the best defensive end in the league and put him against the best tackle in the league, who would win the matchup more consistently?

If the tackle doesn’t win nearly all of them, he’s not the best tackle in the league. I can’t remember seeing Tony Boselli genuinely beaten for a sack. Anthony Munoz? Never.

Sam from Madison, WI

I’m shocked by the response of some reporters to Steph Curry bringing his daughter to the press conference. I get that they’re on a deadline and need to get their story as quickly as possible, but she is more of a story than Curry is going to give them on his own. He seems like a great guy but I don’t think he’s the kind of guy to give the kinds of quotes that will make or break a story, and the fans love his daughter. This should be a great thing for journalists. What am I missing?

What you’re missing is this is not a story. I don’t know why – actually, I do know why but somebody would get angry about it and make a story out of it – we feel this burning need to turn everything into a confrontation. If the kid is ruining the interview, then leave and go interview somebody else. Don’t turn this into Daughtergate. The team’s PR staff then needs to tell Curry not to do that anymore. It’s unprofessional and, yes, those guys do have a job to do, but complaining about kids at a press conference isn’t part of that job.

Marc from Cumming, GA

Vic, I will be boycotting you for three days out of respect for Brett. He should not have been banned.

When your boycott ends, you’re banned.

Steve from Eau Claire, WI

You’re hired as a consultant to develop special team strategies based on the new PAT rule. What does your list look like?

1) Learn the rule. 2) Think of ways coaches will try to take advantage of the rule.

Mike from Des Moines, IA

Offensive linemen don’t have a ton of stats. How do linemen track their success?

By whether or not they won their one-on-ones. You have to beat the man across from you. It’s the one true stat. It’s the most important stat.

Derek from Ramsey, NJ

Vic, do you think both Randall and Rollins will see defensive snaps this year?

I think the Packers need to get a significant contribution from at least one of those two rookies, for the defense to take a step forward this season.

Jeffro from Campbellsport, WI

Vic, how many eras of football are there?

The ancient era, the modern era and the post-merger era. The modern era begins with the 1958 title game. Within the post-merger era, there are several distinct eras. There’s the violent era of the 1970s. There’s the post-rules-changes-of-1978 era, which we’re still in, and within that era there are two distinct major-point-of-emphasis eras.

Ed from South Beloit, IL

Vic, love your work. I miss the mud of 1970s NFL football.

When did we start requiring football to be played on golf courses?

Duane from Newnan, GA

Regarding all the questions you’ve received about extra point rules, it seems rules require more rules to be written in order to define what the rule was supposed to do in the first place. Can you think of any rules that caused an avalanche of new rules?

The no-chuck rule has required at least two major points of emphasis. Your point about rules requiring more rules is spot on, and that’s why I favor a reduction of the rulebook. I remember a gritty baseball player named Don Hoak. Following a foul ball, Hoak was standing a few feet away from home plate when the umpire threw a new ball into play to the pitcher. Hoak just stood there. The umpire asked him what he was doing. Hoak said this is my lead. The umpire told him he had to go back to third base. Hoak said where in the rule book does it say I have to go back and touch the base? The point is that for every word written, more words will have to be written. Football is becoming too technical. Hey, there’s another era: the replay review era. It might be the greatest of all football eras.

Mark from Stewartville, MN

Vic, is your glass half full or half empty?

It’s half empty, because I always want more. How’s that for a new perspective on a tired, old question?

Dale from Richmond, VA

Now is the time all teams are optimistic, and certainly there’s reason to feel good about our upcoming season, but where is our Achilles heel?

The concern, in my opinion, is for depth at cornerback. It’s a critically important position and we won’t know if the Packers have the depth they’ll need to defend against spread offenses, until we see the Packers’ young cornerbacks in action.

Nick from Los Angeles, CA

Vic, out of all the teams that had a losing record last year, which one do you think will have the biggest turnaround this season?

The Raiders.

Dustin from La Crosse, WI

Vic, what are your favorite three current NFL uniforms?

Packers, Steelers, Giants. It’s been that way for years. I like the traditional look.

Joe from Winnebago, MN

Where would the 2013 Week 17 game against the Bears rank on your “best games ever watched” list?

I considered it for my top three.

Rick from Shawano, WI

Playing spots for Richardson? Is it scheme or personnel?

I watched him in last week’s OTAs practice. I thought he moved better than ever. Sean Richardson just keeps getting better. Dom Capers will find a way to use him.